Key coupling device



April 11, 1967 S, REISNER 3,313,135

KEY COUPLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 19, 1964 mail i INVENTOR.

SAM REISNER W zfidm a ATTORNE United States Fatent ()fifice Patented Apr. 11, 1967 3,313,135 KEY COUPLING DEVICE Sam Reisner, 2906 Colorado, Santa Monica, Calif. 90404 Filed Nov. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 414,939 1 Claim. (Cl. 70408) This invention relates generally to keys, and more particularly to an improved key coupling device for facilitating separation of one key from a plurality of keys supported on a key ring structure.

Present day devices for permitting one key to be separated from a ring of keys take the form of first and second key rings, one such ring supporting the key to be separated and the other ring holding all of the remaining keys. These first and second rings include catch means arranged to cooperate with each other in such a manner that they may be temporarily secured together and easily separated. The primary advantage of structures of this type is that a person when driving his automobile may leave the ignition key in the ignition lock and yet remove all of his remaining keys without having to disassemble the same from the key rings involved.

The present invention has as its primary object to provide an improved key coupling structure for enabling the separation of one key from a plurality of keys wherein only a single key ring supporting structure is required, all to the end that one component heretofore deemed necessary in key coupling devices is eliminated.

Briefly, this object is realized by providing in the key form of a lateral projection 16 is formed on the leg 15 as shown.

FIGURE 2 illustrates details of the cover plate Wherein it will be noted that an edge portion of the plate indicated at 17 is bent to eclipse a portion of the recessed area end opening when the plate is assembled to cover the recessed area 11.

With the foregoing structure in mind, it will be clear that when the key locking member 13 is inserted in the recessed area through the end opening, a biasing of the legs 14 and 15 together will be necessary in order that the projection 16 can pass through the reduced entrance opening resulting from the bent portion 17 of the plate. However, once the member 13 is fully inserted Within the recessed area 11, the legs may be released so that the projection 16 will engage the bent portion 17 and prevent removal of the key locking member 13. The position of the key locking member Within the recessed area is illustrated in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. The key locking member 13 itself is provided with a suitable ring for supporting a plurality of other keys. The arto be separated, a recessed area formed as an integral portion of the key itself. Cooperating with this recessed area is a key locking member including a key ring portion for supporting a plurality of other keys. This key locking member is arranged to be received within the recessed area of the single key to be separated and includes catch means for enabling easy locking and releasing of the structure in the recessed area. By providing a portion of the coupling mechanism as an integral part of the single key to be separated, not only are material and manufacturing costs, but in addition, the single key to be separated from a plurality of keys is readily identifiable.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to the Various embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded elevational view illustrating the basic components making up the key coupling structure in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is another exploded view useful in explaining the operation of the structure of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagramatic view illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a key useful in explaining one type of manufacturing process for forming a portion of the key coupling structure;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the invention incorporated in the key structure illustrated in FIGURE 4; and,

FIGURE 6 illustrates yet a third embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is designated generally an integral key 10 having a recessed area 11 formed in the holding portion of the key. A cover plate 12 has a fiat surface portion covering the recessed area 11 as shown, the area itself opening out the end of the holding portion.

Cooperating with the foregoing structure is a key locking member 13 having first and second legs 14 and 15 which may be biased together. A catch means in the rangement is such, accordingly, that the key 10 may readily be separated from the remaining keys by simply biasing the legs of the member 13 together to release the projection 16.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, there is illustrated a modified embodiment wherein a key 18 is provided with a recessed area 19 which includes lateral recessed portions 20 and 21 to define shoulders. These shoulders in turn are arranged to cooperate with lateral projections 22 and 23 formed on the end of first and second legs 24 and 25 forming part of a key locking member 26.

In the operation of the device of FIGURE 3, the legs 22 and 23 are biased together to be received within the recessed area 19, and when fully inserted, they will expand outwardly so that the projections 22 and 23. will bear against the lateral recessed portions 20 and 21 to lock the member in place. It is to be understood, of course, that a covering plate is provided over the recessed area 19 as in the case of FIGURE 1. The covering plate is omitted from the remaining figures in order to avoid obscuring portions of the drawings.

FIGURE 4 illustrates one manner in which the recessed area may be manufactured. Thus, there is illustrated a key 27 having a recessed area 28 formed by a punching operation so that displaced material on the opposite side of the recessed area surface, as indicated at 29, will define a raised portion on this opposite surface. By a punching operation, it is possible to shape the recessed area in a desired manner, such as to provide shoulder portions 30 and 31. These shoulder portions may serve the same function as the bent edge portion 17 of the cover plate described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 2 to cooperate with lateral projections on the legs of a key locking member.

From the foregoing, it will thus be evident that the catch means structure may be designed to cooperate with indented or shoulder portions defined by either the recessed area in the key itself or by a portion of the covering plate.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the key structure of FIGURE 4 with a holding member 32 inserted therein. As shown, this key locking member includes legs 33 and 34 having lateral projections 35 and 36 for engaging the shoulders 30 and 31 of the key 27 when the legs are released.

FIGURE 6 shows yet another embodiment wherein a key 37 is provided with a recessed area 38 including a movably mounted pawl 39. Preferably, the pawl 39 is rotatably mounted and includes an end portion adapted to engage an indent 40 formed in the key locking member 41. The pawl 39 may be rotated from the exterior of the key as by any suitable means, such as indicated in the dotted lines and by the double-headed arrow.

In the operation of the 'key coupling structure of FIGURE 6, the pawl 39 is rotated to its dotted line upper position in which position it will be free of the indent 40 .so that the key locking member 41 may be readily in 'serted and removed. When it is desired to lock the key locking member within the recessed area 38, the pawl is rotated to its solid line position so that its end portion engages the indent 49 and thus will hold the key locking member 41 within the recessed area.

In all of the various embodiments described, it will be clear that the single key desired to be easily separable from a number of other keys includes an integral recessed area which may be readily formed in the key itself. Thus, the key serves the dual function of a regular operable key as well as defining a portion of a temporary securing or coupling mechanism for connection to a plurality of other keys. The present invention thus provides a more economical, more easily manufactured, and more rugged key coupling structure meeting the primary object set forth than has been provided heretofore in the art.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been shown described, various changes that fall clearly Within the scope and spirit of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art. The key coupling structure is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodiments set forth merely for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

A key coupling structure comprising, in combination: a key having a flat holding portion including a recessed area formed in one surface of said holding portion and opening out of a free end of said holding portion; a cover, secured to said holding portion, having a flat top surface portion overlying said recessed area; and a separable key locking member, having retaining means to hold a plurality of keys, receivable in the end opening defined by said recessed area and cover, said cover including at least one bent edge portion eclipsing part of said end opening, said key locking member including first and second resilient leg elements having finger engaging portions, at least one of said leg elements having a lateral projection, whereby said finger engaging portions are" biased together in order to fit said projection past said bent edge portion, and when said projection is within said recessed area and said finger engaging portions are released, said projection releasably engages said bent edge portion to prevent withdrawal of said key locking member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 312,545 2/1885 Zeilin -408 X 652,249 6/ 1900 Crossman. 1,232,733 7/1917 Swedlund 24-230 1,326,055 12/1919 Hirsch 24230 1,429,155 9/ 1922 Metcalf. 2,633,012 3/1953 Johnstone 70408 2,672,747 3/1954 Craig 70-406 2,694,244 11/1954 Nolan 70459 X 2,805,499 9/ 1957 Nutter et al. 24230 X FOREIGN PATENTS 35,230 7/ 1929 France. 417,645 1/ 1947 Italy.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

